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Hartford Athletic 2021 Season Preview

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 04/19/21, 5:00PM EDT

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Talisman Danny Barrera is back to lead Hartford Athletic into its third season in the Championship as the club looks for a second consecutive trip to the postseason. | Photo courtesy Hartford Athletic


2021 Outlook

Season 2 produced a major step forward for Hartford Athletic as it not only reached the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time, but also hosted its first postseason game at Dillon Stadium. Movement this offseason, however, could mean a serious challenge to repeat that success after departures – most notable on the sideline with the return to England of former Head Coach Radhi Jaidi – left some big shoes to fill.

Jaidi has been replaced by former Chelsea and West Ham Academy Head Coach Harry Watling, who takes the reins with a professional First Team for the first time in his career. He has some key players from the success of 2020 back to work with, including playmaker Danny Barrera, and there are some interesting new arrivals including former Reno 1868 FC defender Thomas Janjigian, forwards Sebastian Elney and Bradford Jamieson IV, and Puerto Rico international Nicolas Cardona.

Those new arrivals – particularly Elney and Jamieson – will need to click given the departure of Ever Guzman – who led Hartford in goals a season ago – and Alex Dixon from the attack and midfielder Mads Jorgensen. How the new-look Athletic fare is going to be one of the big questions going into the new season.


Notable Arrivals

Thomas Janjigian, Defender: Won Championship’s Regular Season Title with Reno 1868 FC in 2020

Bradford Jamieson IV, Forward: Former LA Galaxy Homegrown Player

Nicolas Cardona, Defender: Puerto Rico international, competed against Hartford in exhibition in 2019

Jeff Caldwell, Goalkeeper: Former NYCFC man has Championship experience on loan in Memphis


Notable Departures

Ever Guzman: Signed with Antigua GFC in Guatemala’s First Division

Harry Swartz: Signed with New Mexico United

Alex Dixon: Signed with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Mads Jorgensen: Signed with Middelfart Boldklub in Denmark


Two To Watch



One of the club's new offseason arrivals, former LA Galaxy homegrown product Bradford Jamieson IV will be looking to feature prominently for Hartford Athletic this season.

Danny Barrera, Midfielder/Forward

Scorer of one of 2020’s most ridiculous goals (which earned more than 2.5 million views on Twitter alone), Danny Barrera’s influence for the Athletic was a major factor in the club’s success under Head Coach Radhi Jaidi. As one of the team’s veterans, the 31-year-old is going to have to maintain that standard while getting used to his new surrounding cast in the attacking third. It’s a big load to carry, but the 5-foot-6 Barrera is used to being the center of attention.

Bradford Jamieson IV, Forward

During six seasons with the LA Galaxy after signing as a Homegrown Player, Bradford Jamieson IV consistently showed glimpses of what he could bring to the field, but injuries – most notably concussion problems – waylaid his promising career that had seen him compete for the United States at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015. Still only 24, Jamieson returns to the U.S. after spending 2020 with Danish club Vendsyssel FF looking to fire his new club to success.


Coach



New Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling brings experience from both the Chelsea and West Ham Academy programs to his first job as a First Team coach in the professional ranks.

Harry Watling (1st Year)

Arriving as the youngest Head Coach in the USL Championship aged 31 years old, Harry Watling steps into his first professional Head Coaching position with an impressive resume. Watling earned his UEFA ‘A’ License when he was 26 years old, worked in the Chelsea Academy under both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancellotti, and with players such as England internationals Declan Rice, Jack Wilshere, Callum Hudson Odoi. How that translates to Hartford and what looks on paper to be a challenging division is going to be a big test for Watling’s pedigree.


Key Number


36.6With 11 goals between them, Ever Guzman and Alex Dixon combined for 36.6 percent of Hartford’s 30 goals in the 2020 Championship season. Replacing those two players’ production may be the biggest challenge facing the Athletic this season as they look for a second playoff trip.


Possible Lineup




Projected Finish: Sixth, Atlantic Division

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